Tucson, Arizona has an overall cost of living index of 89.9, which is 10.1 points below the US average of 100 — making it more affordable than most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,145 per month, while the typical home is valued around $266,200. Households earn a median of $57,073 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 26. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$57,073
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,145
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$266,200
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
89.9
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$967
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,081
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,402
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$1,950
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
89.9
Goods
93.3
Rents / Housing
69.4
Services
80.8
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $115,400 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $89,850 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $55,500 |
| ⚡Electrician | $62,880 |
| 📊Accountant | $84,650 |
| 🔧Plumber | $58,790 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $173,240 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $106,690 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $111,480 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $80,850 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $119,210 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $58,020 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | N/A |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
547,073
Latest estimate
Median Age
34.6 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
26.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
45
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,447
Per month
Avg Home Value
$342,933
Census ACS
January Avg
54°F
July Avg
88°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Dry/Arid · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.5
poor
Hospitals
10
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
89.4%
What is the cost of living index for Tucson?
Tucson has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 89.9. The US national average is 100, so Tucson is 10.1 points below the national average.
What is the median rent in Tucson?
The median gross rent in Tucson is $1,145 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Tucson?
The median household income in Tucson is $57,073 per year.
What is the median home value in Tucson?
The median home value in Tucson is $266,200 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Tucson?
Tucson has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 26.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Tucson?
Tax data for Arizona is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
